March 2022

TMAA President’s Message 

“How we respond to crises, trauma, severe stress, pandemics, riots and even small discomforts or disappointments will determine who we will be and become as people,” writes Robert J. Wicks, PhD, in his book The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart: Mentoring Yourself in Difficult Times. I feel enormously proud to be bringing Dr. Wicks to ALLMED – our annual convention – as keynote speaker, and passages like this help explain why.

“The challenges that befall us can lead us to feelings of self-pity, anger, depression, debilitating anxiety, and numbness,” Dr. Wicks continues. “Such reactions are quite normal and understandable. Still, while life can be very tough for us to deal with, dark times need not be the last word. Instead, they may actually turn out to be the beginning of a new life of exploration, depth, meaning, and greater compassion.

“If we acknowledge and do not play down the pain we encounter in life, on the one hand, and are also open to where it can lead us as persons, on the other hand, a form of what is now referred to as ‘post-traumatic growth’ can occur.  When this happens, we don’t simply bounce back from stress, as nice as that would be. Instead, we also set the stage for becoming deeper as persons in ways that would not have been possible had the trauma or stress not happened in the first place. This not only has positive consequences for us but also has a positive impact on the level of compassion we are able to have for others.”  

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear such an extraordinary speaker. Grab nine of your fellow county alliance besties and register today!

ALLMED, which will be held April 28-29 in Houston, also will give us opportunities to network, celebrate, and learn. We will finally gather to meet and honor all your amazing work in Texas communities IN PERSON! That alone is reason enough to sign up today!
 

See you soon!

Jennifer

 

REGISTER TODAY!

We're excited to invite you to an incredible two days of connection, education, and celebration in Houston April 28-29. 

For the first time since 2019, we are gathering in person to hold our leadership meetings, network, and hear from incredible inspirational speakers. Our program includes keynote speakers Lori Boies and Robert J. Wicks, informative leadership educational sessions, networking opportunities, and fun activities for everyone.  All TMA Alliance members are encouraged to attend and register by April 1 so we can plan accordingly. ALLMED 2022 is a celebration of your collective achievements. 

Register for ALLMED 2022 by April 1.
Reserve your hotel room ASAP – rooms are going fast.

Save the Date: TMA Foundation Gala 


Texas Medical Association Foundation’s annual gala will take place Friday, April 29, 2022, during TMA’s ALLMED / TexMed conferences in Houston. 

This year’s theme, Crossroads of Culture – Houston: The Most Diverse City in the U.S., recognizes the ethnic and cultural transformation in Houston over the past 50 years. Your ticket purchase or table sponsorship will support TMAF-funded initiatives that reflect TMA’s vision: To improve the health of ALL Texans. 

This gala fundraiser helps make TMA’s population health, science, and quality-of-care programs possible. Already this year, TMAF has supported numerous initiatives around the state that provide free health screenings to medically disadvantaged Texans, vaccinate underserved individuals, educate students with science-based learning materials, and more.

Individuals may sponsor a table starting at $2,500. 

Find more information and purchase tickets or a sponsorship on the TMAF website, or contact TMAF at (800) 880-1330, ext. 1664, or (512) 370-1664. 

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Don't Wait! Renew your TMA Alliance Membership TODAY

Our team is continuously encouraged by the commitment of all our TMA Alliance members. We truly couldn't do the great work we do without your continued support. 

We hope you'll renew your membership dues by March 31 and remain part of our incredible family. Join us in 2022 for a year of growth and celebration.

There are three ways to renew your dues:

  1. Call TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 with your credit card information. TMA staffers are standing by to help you.
  2. Mail a check to TMA Alliance, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701. (Make the check out to TMA Alliance).
  3. Go online at texmedalliance.org. However, you will need to know your login information to use the Renew portal.

 

Smith County Medical Society Alliance: Junior Leadership Program

Since the fall of 2019, Smith County Medical Society Alliance (SCMSA) has established two new groups, both focused on young people who have a physician parent. These programs are the Junior Health Ambassadors (JHA) and the Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Together, they form the Junior Leadership Program (JLP).

Junior Health Ambassadors was the brainchild of SCMSA member Li-Yu Mitchell, MD. Dr. Mitchell is both the child of a physician and a physician parent. She knows first-hand that physician work hours in the early mornings, late nights, and on weekends can disrupt family schedules. Physician parents are often forced to miss ballgames, piano recitals, school plays, and family meals.

The JHA is a way for young people in these families to make new friends while also understanding that they are not alone. And JHA shows these young people how to serve their community. They have worked at food banks, beautified parks, and made sleeping mats for people who are homeless. 

From spring 2020 to spring 2021, the program paused because of COVID-19. But in spring 2021, the group again met outdoors at a city park to participate in the city of Tyler’s “Keep Tyler Beautiful” program for a morning of trash pickup and fun. Attendance was great, and the kids seemed to love being out and interacting with others. The JHA has met several times since. Very little funding is required for the program, with only water and snacks offered at the meetings. 

The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is in its first year. Smith County Alliance President Joi Smith started it after learning about a similar program for high school students run by the Women’s Symphony League of Austin. The group emphasizes leadership skills for all county high school students with at least one physician parent. YLC members attend four one-hour meetings each year in which they learn about the guest speakers’ paths to success and personal inspirations. Members have an opportunity to interact with guest speakers as well as peer members and YLC leaders. YLC members receive volunteer hours for attending meetings that may satisfy school service hour requirements. Many members also participate in the JHA community service projects. 

YLC participants pay membership dues and plan all aspects of the meetings. This includes reserving a venue, choosing and introducing the guest speaker, preparing registration and name tags, creating ice breaker games, providing refreshments, and writing thank you notes. 

Contact Joi Smith with questions at Joismith52@gmail.com.